Briefing Events Pre-notice

Merged programme based on progress2work and progress2workLinkUP and the 2010 Problem Drug Users' Employment and Support Pilots

Advance notice is given of forthcoming Pre Qualification Briefing Events.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) intends to procure a national, merged programme based on progress2work and progress2workLinkUP.

This provision will provide support for customers disadvantaged in the labour market either because they are: recovering stabilised drug misusers; have an offending background; affected by homelessness; alcohol misuse or a combination of these issues.  The contracts awarded are likely to cover multiple Jobcentre Plus districts.

Access will be voluntary and the provision will deliver full-time (i.e. 30 hours per week), focused help and activity.  DWP envisage that this will typically include: engaging the customer, building commitment and motivation, tackling lifestyle issues and providing detailed personal assessments and individually tailored action plans focusing on progression through suitable employment or training opportunities.  Customers must be provided with a dedicated adviser (support worker) who will maintain close contact with the customer to anticipate and address potential relapse or drop-out issues.

As part of this tendering exercise, in some Jobcentre Plus districts in England, DWP will also procure a new pilot of mandatory employment and support provision, for problem drug users.  This is expected to last for 2 years and is aimed at customers who are disadvantaged and distant from the labour market, because of their dependency on heroin and crack cocaine.  In these areas, one contract will be awarded for delivery of both the merged programme and the pilot provision.

The pilot support will cover:

• referral for treatment to stabilise the customer’s drug problem;
• soft skills such as building self-esteem and confidence;
• social and financial exclusion issues, including housing and debt; and
• work readiness, including skills needs.

Supplier Briefing Events

DWP will be holding events for potential bidders at which information on the requirements of the contracts and the procurement process will be provided.

The dates and locations are as follows:

• Tuesday 20 October - London
• Wednesday 21 October - Cardiff
• Thursday 22 October - Glasgow

Full details of the event locations will be provided at a later date to suppliers who return a Delegate Request Form as detailed below.  All events will be accessible by public transport and at some locations car parking may be available.

The events are open to suppliers wishing to be considered as prime contractors and also to smaller organisations who may wish to work with the prime contractor on a sub-contract basis. Organisations are invited to attend one event only (maximum of two representatives). The information presented at all events will be identical, with all questions and answers published on the DWP website.

To book a place on one of these briefing events, please complete the Delegate Request Form and return it to the following e-mail address:

leedswhitehallii.p2wdelegates@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

Please note that the last date for bookings is 14 October 2009.

To obtain a copy of the PQQ which will be available from 12 October 2009, please go to:

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/supplying-dwp/what-we-buy/welfare-to-work-services/opportunities-to-tender/